Surprise news emerged on Monday morning at Leeds United that one of Victor Orta’s loan army will be returning to Elland Road next season, and he has rejected clubs in order to do so.
Last summer following relegation from the Premier League, Leeds watched on helpless as eight players walked out of the Elland Road door using a clause Victor Orta had inserted into their Leeds contracts.
A huge blow to the club’s finances with Leeds unable to sell them and having to let them go on loan, it saw the likes of Rasmus Kristensen and Diego Llorente both move to Italy and join giants AS Roma.
Brenden Aaronson, Robin Koch and Max Wober moved to Germany. Luis Sinisterra and Jack Harrison returned to the Premier League as Marc Roca went back to Spain, three years after leaving his home.
Since, Koch and Sinisterra have signed permanently at Frankfurt and Bournemouth. Llorente and Harrison are expected to remain at Roma and Everton, while there is some haggling going on for Roca and Wober.
Aaronson rejects clubs to return to Leeds ahead of 2024-25
Indeed, Betis president Angel Haro says a deal for Roca is close, the only sticking point over whether it is a loan or permanent. Leeds want £14.5m for Wober, and Gladbach want to pay a smaller fee to sign him.
For Aaronson, the 23-year-old is set to return to Leeds after choosing to try and rectify his Leeds career. It comes after holding talks with boss Daniel Farke regarding his future, and opting to return to Elland Road.
The Yorkshire Evening Post even claim Aaronson had the chance to return to Union Berlin on loan after the club survived relegation, while others clubs were also interested, but the USA star has chosen to stay.
Aaronson now has battle to win back Leeds supporters
The reaction from Leeds fans to players jumping ship on loan angered fans. With Aaronson personally, his huge transfer fee promised so much but what Leeds got was a player often too weak to keep the ball.
It is a surprise that Aaronson is due to return given the fans’ thoughts regarding his decision to exit Leeds. But, the “sensational” star’s choice to reject other clubs and Union at least shows some new loyalty.
Perhaps, a solid pre-season and a public show of affection towards Leeds as a club will get fans back on side to some degree. Then, some good form at the start of next season’s Championship campaign helps.